London: Britain went into full celebration mode on Saturday to honour Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne, with a “party at the palace” concert that featured an array of stars including Diana Ross, Alicia Key and Andrea Bocelli. The concert outside the queen’s central London residence was the climax of the third day of public events to mark the 96-year-old monarch’s record-breaking Platinum Jubilee, and saw around 22,000 ticket-holders pack a purpose-built 360-degree stage, according to a report by news agency AFP. Tens of thousands more people thronged the city centre to attend the concert while millions watched on live broadcast on BBC on radio, television and online, was no less grand in scale.
Crowds watch the Platinum Jubilee concert, taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Crowds watch the Platinum Jubilee concert, taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
As per reports, the ‘party at the palace’ as rockers Queen + Adam Lambert opened the star-studded show with renditions of “We Will Rock You”, “Don’t Stop Me Now” and “We Are The Champions”. Motown legend Diana Ross was a star attraction at the event, which also featured artists including Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli and James Bond composer Hans Zimmer, in a marked shift in tone from the jubilee’s first two days.
Diana Ross performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Duran Duran and Nile Rodgers perform during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in London (Photo/AP)
Mica Paris performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Jason Donovan performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace, London (Photo/AP)
Others set to take the stage include Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, George Ezra and Eurovision 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder. Elton John has recorded a tribute.
Alicia Keys performs at the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Ella Eyre performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Rod Stewart performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in London (Photo/AP)
Sam Ryder performs during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
As Saturday’s concert got started, the monarch made a surprise on-screen appearance, starring in a comedic pre-recorded scene taking tea with Britain’s beloved children’s book and film character Paddington Bear. “Happy Jubilee, ma’am, and thank you. For everything,” the bear told her.
The crowd watch a film of Queen Elizabeth II having tea with Paddington Bear on a big screen at the Platinum Jubilee concert (Photo/AP)
“That’s very kind,” the queen replied, before the pair began to tap out the drum beat to “We Will Rock You” on their tea saucers with silver spoons.
Despite the queen’s absence, spirits were high during an event that culminated with appearances by the monarch’s family members. Her son and grandson, prince Charles and his son Prince William paid tribute to the queen in separate speeches that honored the past and looked to the future.
From left, Peter Phillips, Princess Anne, Timothy Laurence, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, James, Viscount Severn, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Lady Louise Windsor, Princess Eugenie, Prince Edward, and Jack Brooksbank watch the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace, London (Photo/AP)
Prince George, right, and Princess Charlotte watch the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Images of Queen Elizabeth II were projected onto Buckingham Palace as Duran Duran perform during the Platinum Jubilee concert. The queen — the longest-reigning monarch in British history — was not attending the two-and-a-half-hour event in person but was watching on television in Windsor Castle.
An image of Queen Elizabeth II is projected onto Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee concert taking place in front of Buckingham Palace (Photo/AP)
Images of Queen Elizabeth II are projected onto Buckingham Palace as Duran Duran perform during the Platinum Jubilee concert (Photo/AP)
On Thursday, the first day of celebrations, she made two public appearances to huge crowds on the Buckingham Palace balcony, and then travelled to Windsor to attend a beacon-lighting ceremony. The effort, after months battling difficulties walking and standing, left her in “some discomfort”, Buckingham Palace said. She withdrew from a Friday church service of thanksgiving and missed the flat-racing showcase The Derby Saturday for only the fourth time since 1952.
Sunday will see millions of people share food at “Big Jubilee Lunch” picnics and take part in a musical and creative public pageant with a cast of 10,000. Ed Sheeran will round off the celebrations Sunday, singing his 2017 hit “Perfect”.
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